Combined plumb and level



April 1953 E. A. MARCINKOWSKI 2,635,351

COMBINED PLUMB AND LEVEL Filed Oct. 9, 1950 I 46 I I 22 45 50 Eugene A. Marcinkawski INVENTOR.

- Fig} 'VBY Patented Apr. 21, 1 953 OFFICE 7 COMBINED PLUMB AND LEVEL Eugene A. Marcinkowski, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 9, 1950, Serial No. 189,218

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined plumb and level, the primary object of which is to provide a sectional device whereby the parts may be disconnected from one another so as to be conveniently carried in a tool holder.

At the present time, carpenters and bricklayers require level and plumb rules of different sizes, the most common sizes being the twentyfour inch and the forty-eight inch level and rule. Because of the sectional construction of the present device, the present invention obviates the necessity of carrying levels of different lengths.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a quick change plumb and level device which is relatively simple in design and construction, inexpensive, easy to manipulate, and very useful for its intended purpose.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled device;

Figure 2 is a group perspective view of the outer or longer frame and the shorter or level-retaining frame; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 33 of Figure 1.

Specific reference is now made to the drawings. In the several views in the accompanying drawings and in the following specification reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout.

Indicated generally at In is the combined level and plumb of the present invention and comprises an outer or longer frame l2 including spaced parallel elongated side bars I 4 .and IS interconnected at their ends by suitable blocks I 8 and 20. Spaced from the blocks I 8 and 20 and secured to the inner surfaces of the side bars 14 and are further blocks 22 and 24, the vertical inner sides or faces 26 of which being provided with an insert 28 having an open recess 30 fora purpose soon to appear.

A second or inner frame 32 is provided which is also elongated but shorter in length than the outer frame I2, the length of the inner frame 32 being equal to the distance between the opposite vertical faces 26 of the blocks 22 and 24 of the outer frame I2. The inner frame 32 includes elongated side bars 34 and 36 interconnected at their ends by integral portions 38 and 40. Interconnecting the side bars 32 and 34 intermediate their ends are wells 42 which retain the conventional spirit levels or spirit tubes 44. The central spirit tube or level 44, as will be seen clearly with reference to Figure 2, is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis or plane of the frame for conventional level work and the outermost levels or tubes 44 are arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis or plane of the frame for the conventional plumb work.

To removably secure the inner frame 32 in the outer frame I2, the vertical end walls 42 of the portions 38 and 40 are provided with longitudinally extending bores 46 in which are received tubes 48 retaining a ball 50 and a coil spring 52 urging the ball normally outwardly of the end wall of the portions 38 and 40. Thus when the inner frame 32 is positioned in the outer frame l2, the spring-pressed ball 50 will snap into the recesses 38 carried by the opposed blocks 22 and 24 of the outer frame as shown clearly in Figure 3.

The outer frame i 2 is necessarily light and accordingly, means must be provided for bracing the side walls l4 and [6 between the blocks 22 and 24. This means comprises a metalli ring 54 secured as by screws 56 to the top edges of the side walls l4 and I6 between the blocks 22 and 24. As shown clearly in Figure l, the ring 54 not only serves as a brace for the side walls of the outer frame but as a sight opening for the central spirit level or tube.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A combined plumb and level comprising a first elongated substantially rectangular frame having spaced side members interconnected by end members, a pair of blocks secured between said side members and spaced from said end members, a second elongated frame carrying spirit levels, one level extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second frame and another level extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and means for removably retaining said second frame on said pair of blocks of said first frame, wherein said means includes recesses in opposing vertical Walls of said pair of blocks and spring-pressed balls carried at the ends of 5 said second frame and receivable in said recesses.

2. The combination of claim 1 and a ring secured upon the side members of said first frame between said pair of blocks, said ring serving to brace sai'd't first frame: and also 1 serving as a 10 sight opening'for one of said spirit'levels.

EUGENE A. MARCINKOWSKI.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Kane i Feb. 1, 1898 Hartford May 31, 1898 Scott Dec. 15, 1908 Berkebile Aug. 7, 1917 Weathersbyz July 13, 1920 Schade May'fi, 1924 Fluke Dec. 26, 1950 

